8/31/10

It's a guy thing....

I was speaking with a dear friend this week and we were comparing notes on the funny things men do. It made me think about how different we are. Here are just a few of the differences I've thought of......

The "I don't feel good" man: When a woman gets sick, she has to continue to make sure there are clean towels in the cupboard and hot food on the table. You will work like a slave all day and after dinner is over and all the dishes are done and all the kids are settled, hubby will comment "Why didn't you say something, I could have helped." You want to come back with "I figured when you saw me laying my head on my arm while I was mashing the potatoes, you would have helped if you wanted to." But let him get a little sniffles and he needs to have a pity party. And if you get a little snappy with him, you are sure to hear a whiny "I'm sorry, it's just that I dont' feel good."

Never let a man give directions: A women will be precise and concise when giving directions. A man will muddy the waters with way too many details. For example, you can say "turn right on Rogers Road and go 4 miles and turn left. We are the first house on the left." A man will say turn right onto Rodgers Road. that's Rodger not Roger. If you go about 4 miles, you'll see a big red barn. There are several barns on Rodgers Road, but this is the one that has the See Rock City painted on. After you pass the barn, there will be a........ I think you get my point. A little too many details.

Never let them see you sweat: If you are both involved in a stressful situation i.e. the microwave catches on fire, a water line bursts, etc. You will both be frantically trying to stop the situation before it gets worse. You'll both be stressed. But when it's done and you are telling somebody about the drama, hubby will say "I wasn't worried about it. It wasn't that bad." He didn't seem to think that way at the time.

Are you okay?: Sometimes we may have an accident...burning our hand on a hot pan, walking into the door frame (yes, I do this all the time.), tripping over a throw rug (again, guilty). At the moment of the accident hubby will jump up to check on you, look for blood or broken bones. He is so considerate. When he sees you are fine and he realizes how worried he was, instead of laughing off the incident like a woman will, it'll be all about "You should be more careful." "We don't need a rug there." They are too embarrassed to show they were worried over something that ended up being trivial. But a woman will crack up over the accident once she sees everything is okay.

But on the flip side, a husband will always be there for us. He is the one we can lean on at the end of the day that will listen to our troubles and woes. He doesn't judge us. He thinks we look beautiful even when we've added 70 pounds since our wedding day. He doesn't see the gray hair or the wrinkles. He still lights up when you walk into a room. His smile and the twinkle in his eyes still make you tingle when you look at him. He does not judge us and just shakes his head when we make mountains out of molehills.

And there is nothing in the world as wonderful as a husband who has been with you through menopause and lived to tell about it. Can I get an amen?

8/30/10

My scales hate me.....

I've been trying to lose a few extra pounds that I don't need or want. Rather than set a goal that I know I don't have the will power to work for, I've been setting little goals. I work at it at my own pace and with my own program. I do things like watch my portion sizes, cut back on my snacking, burn extra calories by parking farther out in the parking lot. When I come home from anywhere, I park the car and walk back up to the get the mail instead of stopping on my way in. Just little things, but they do help.

My first goal is to lose 10 pounds. I started out at 169 and want to drop down to 159 for the first step. I decided that it would thrill me to be able to get on the scales and be down into another set of "tensies". With the little changes I made I dropped from 169 to 161 a lot faster than I though I would. But I'm stuck. When I weigh, I'll be at 161. So close to my goal. I can't wait to see a number that starts with 15something. Well, I give it a few days and I'm down to 160.5. Oh give me a break Mr. Scale. He is jumping up and down between 161 and 160.5 for the past 3 weeks. I think he doesn't like me. Or he has a warped sense of humor and is taunting me.

But I will persevere. I added a few more things to my "fitness" routine. I watched Footloose the other day and danced to all those fast songs. I tried to mimic the way they move, but just don't have that flexibility in these old joints. But I was burning some calories anyway. And yes, for those of you who know me, you have my permission to cut loose...laughing at me that is. I'm sure it was a humorous site to see.

I'm going to work really hard this week and drop that other 1.5 pounds. But I'm sure as soon as I do, Mr. Scale will pop back up to 160 just to torment me.

8/29/10

God is able...


Our Sunday School lesson for last week was for II Corinthians. Do you ever here a short phrase from the bible that just makes you go WOW? Well, that happened last week in our lesson. Paul was talking in II Corinthians 9:8 and he started his statement with "And God is able...."

My thoughts stopped right their and went in a new direction. God IS able. How true a statement. It was one of those profound moments where you think "Why am I trying to do everything myself? Why do I strive to settle any of my concerns or problems? Why do I worry over situations I can't control? Why am I beating my head against the wall in my daily struggles when GOD IS ABLE.

He can do anything and yet we still try to handle it all by ourself. How many times does He have to point it out to us before we start letting Him. He is able so let go and let Him take care of whatever it is that you are facing.

I wish we could see God's love and abilities through the eyes of a child, no matter our age. We make things so complicated when they are so simple. My grandson, Caleb, who is only 7 said something to me that just made me realize how simple it is to see God's love and what he does for us. Caleb and I were talking about the needy. He was telling me about a little boy he knows that wears shirts with holes in them to school. I explained about needs and pointed out how blessed he is that he has nice clothes, a good home, food to eat, toys to play with. I asked him if he understood that those were all blessings from God. This led to a discussion on how God blesses us and what some of His blessings are. He said something to me that brought tears to my eyes to think that a 7 year old can see with such perception the things that our eyes do not acknowledge.

He said, "Mamaw B, I know ladies who walk on canes or have to use wheelchairs. But God blesses them everyday." I asked him, what kind of blessings did he think God gives these ladies. His words back to me were "They may have to use a cane or a wheelchair, but God blesses them every morning by letting them live another day."

Whoa! Truer words were never spoken. No matter what your lot in life, no matter what circumstances surround you, you are truly blessed each morning that you wake up to find you are still alive. God IS able. Let Him take control and see what blessings He sends your way.

8/28/10

Saturday Snackin'

I wanted to share one of my favorite desserts with you.

Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

Box of Brownie Mix for 9x13 pan
16 Individual Reese Cups
2 boxes vanilla pudding (3.4 oz size)
12 ounces Cool Whip
3 cups milk
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 tsp. vanilla

Make brownies per box directions and in a 9 x 13 pan and let cool. Cut into squares about 1" in size. (If you turn them out of the pan onto a cutting board, when they come out of the over, you can cut them easier with a pizza cutter once they cool.)


In a mix bowl, mix 2 boxes of vanilla pudding with 3 cups of milk. Whisk until well blended. Whisk in peanut butter and vanilla. Once it is blended good, fold in 1/2 cup of Cool Whip.












Cut up 16 individual Reese Cups into quarters. Set to side.



In a trifle bowl, layer one layer of brownies. Spoon 1/2 of the pudding mixture over the brownies.



Spread on 1/2 of the remaining Cool Whip and top with 1/2 of the chopped Reece Cups.



Repeat process, starting with the remaining brownies, then the remaining pudding and remaining Cool Whip. Top with remainder of the brownies.



Enjoy!

8/27/10

A day with a friend...

I had the best day today. I went shopping with a dear friend and we had a girls day out. She is a very dear friend plus my daughter's mother-in-law so we share grandbabies.

We went to a used bookstore to exchange our old books for some new ones to read. Then we went to a second hand shop where I got an unbelievable deal on a Vera Bradley billfold in the style I have been looking for. After that, we stopped at East Town Mall and we had a delicious lunch of chicken fingers, potato skins and onion rings. I know it is not a healthy meal, but it sure was good.  


We are back home and I'm ready to relax in some hot bubbles and start one of my new books. It felt good to have a girls day out, but we both kept looking around for the grandkids, forgetting we didn't have them with us today. Then we would feel guilty because we know they would have had a blast.

Thanks Sherrie for a wonderful day. I had a blast.

8/26/10

It's the little things....

Do you have things in your life that you are a little quirky about? Those items that have to be just so-so or you are not happy with them? Well, for me it is potholders. That's right, I'm obsessive about my potholders. Which is strange considering I rarely cook. But it doesn't matter. I like a particular style of potholder.

Nowadays they make them large and bulky but I prefer just the plain square shaped regular potholders. I have looked high and low trying to find them and finally gave up. I decided they just don't exist any more.

Well, this week my husband came home from the grocery store and was pulling the items from the bags. He nonchalantly said "I bought you something." And pulled out two packs of two each little square potholders!!

I was so excited (yes, it doesn't take much to excite me.) Number one, it thrilled me that he pays attention to what I say and number two, he know what I like. (Of course after griping about it for 4 months, you would have to be deaf not to know what I was looking for.)

But the fact remains that my dear sweet husband knew what that would mean to me. Even if it was just little old potholders, it touched me that he saw them and bought them for me. Granted, he will get way more use out of them than I will. But the next time I bake a cake, I won't have to fuss about the potholders.

I just love surprises. I think I'll make some cupcakes so I can use the new potholders!!

8/25/10

I was just thinking....

I posted a note on Facebook that I had jabbed a rusty nail into the side of my hand and queried how long tetanus shots lasted. I was so amazed at the love and concern that came my way. I was provided with info on how long the shots last, how I should clean the wound and concern that I should go to the doctor. I thank everybody who cared and responded.

It cleaned up real well and I think it will be fine. It didn't go in real far and I cleaned it immediately. But as my old bones have gone through their normal creaking last night, I let my overactive imagination take over. You know how you will get a little catch in your ribs sometimes. Well I was walking down the hall and felt a catch and my first thought was "Oh no, I should have gotten the shot!" Now I'm going to be paranoid with every little pain until the wound heals.

I sat down to write this post because I was laughing at myself. Then a thought hit me that changed the whole direction of the post.

When I picked up the board, I swooped in from the ends and grabbed it. That forced the nail to drive into the side of my hand between the thumb and wrist. It hurts like crazy and has been sore all evening. But the thought that hit me was, if this tiny little jab is hurting me so bad, what pain must our Saviour have felt when they nailed His palms to the cross. How could he have survived such pain and suffering? And to think, He did it for us. All of us. The saved, the sinners, everyone. He didn't call out names and say this is for Bob, Sue, Mandy or Billy. He did it for everybody.

We sometimes moan and groan over little aches and pains, but we tend to forget the agony that Christ went through to give us the wonderful, blessed lives we have.

8/24/10

Jesus is Waiting



I have loved ones who've gone on before.
I have friends I am longing to see.
But the face of my Savior awaits on that shore,
And I know He is waiting for me.

As I journey down life's rugged pathways,
And I struggle for riches untold.
If I'd just stop and look up toward heaven,
Oh the beauty my eyes would behold.

King Jesus abides in that city.
And He's preparing a mansion for me.
So when I'm gone, please spare me your pity,
For King Jesus is waiting for me.

---Written by Brenda Keefer

8/23/10

A lesson to be learned































On this day in 1989, as punishment for betting on baseball, Cincinnati Reds manager Pete Rose accepts a settlement that includes a lifetime ban from the game.

Now, to many of you, that doesn't mean a thing. But if you grew up in a household where your Daddy was a die-hard Cincinnati Reds fans, it was a sad, sad day. I remember the many hours of debate and discussion on TV, on the radio, in the newspapers: Did he or did he not do what they said?  His fans loved him. They didn't all agree on his guilt or innocence, but they did all agree that he WAS the Reds. Pete Rose and the Reds went hand in hand like peanut butter and jelly, like a pencil and eraser. Baseball changed for them on that day. Many maintained he was innocent because he said he was. Many thought he got a bum rap. Many thought he was guilty. But no matter what they thought about what he did, he was Pete Rose and they still loved him.

Now you may wonder why I am posting this, considering I'm not much of  a sports fan. But I believe there is a lesson to be learned. What Pete Rose did was not a good thing, yet he was still adored by his fans. He was still loved by thousands.

How many times in our lives do we do or say things we know God does not want us to do or ignore doing the things He asks of us, thinking we know best? Yet, how many times does God forgive us for our foolishness and stubbornness in trying to manage on our own? No matter what we do or don't do, He is still there for us. He stands beside us, He carries us, He shows His undying love and support in so many ways and we take it for granted. I don't understand why we as humans are so willing to forgive and forget when we love someone; yet, we find it hard to accept that God feels the same way about us. We need to quit being so hard on ourselves when we fail and just take it to God and leave it there.

8/22/10



God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, Peace without pain.

God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift easy travel, Needing no guide.
He hath not promised we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

--- Annie Johnson Flint

I was sitting here this morning preparing for Sunday School and this poem came to my mind. I hadn't read it for years, but it is just as encouraging now as it was then. The Lord is my love, my life, my all. I have overcome many battles in my lifetime, but only with His help and guidance. The last line of this poem says it all. I am who I am today because of his unfailing sympathy, undying love.

I hope each of you have a wonderful day today!

8/21/10

Femininty



In 1963, Summer Magic hit the theaters. Mom took us to the Keith Albee to see it. I fell in love. I wanted to be like Nancy Carey (Hayley Mills). She became my idol. She could work in the house cleaning and repairing. She could put on an old pair of pants and work shirt and work up a sweat with the rest of them.

Or she could curl her hair and put on a lacy, frilly dress and be a feminine young lady. This picture and video are my favorites scenes from the movie. I often think she was my role model.

I am a contrast of different women. I can be the professional woman who handles business and designs new marketing campaigns to increase business. I can be the partner in helping my husband lay brick when we built our fireplace or the carpenter who helped build the deck on the back of the our first house. I can be the gardener who helped plant the potatoes and hoe the corn.

But when all is said and done, I can be the feminine woman who soaks in a bubble bath, lathers up with lotion and does her own manicures. I can be the woman who wears the silky "unmentionables" and the baby doll tops. I love my frilly night gowns right along with my flannel pants and t-shirts. I love my high heels and can't wait for winter so I can wear my Candies Hiking Boots. I can be the strength and the shoulder to lean on for my kids or I can be the the one who needs comforted by my hubby.

I can catch a 20" catfish, but I can't bait a hook or touch the fish when I reel it in. (eeeewww) I can buy auto parts or I can buy purses.

I am a contrast of personalities. But when the day is done, I'm still a girl and I still like my girlie things. I think Nancy Carey (Hayley Mills) inspired me more than I realized. I saw that movie when I was about 7 or 8. I own a copy of it and here I am 47 years later and I'm STILL watching it.  

8/20/10

School Days, school days....

I remember fondly the first day of school. I remember my little plaid dresses with white peter pan collars. I remember Mary Janes and bobbi sox and saddle oxfords. I remember new book bags and Barbie lunch boxes with thermos bottles for my KoolAid. I remember new crayons and school glue. I remember the thrill of getting a little carton of chocolate milk for morning break. I remember Junior High with basketball games and Pep Squard and Home Ec class. I remember high school and football games and being a Pirate with our Red & White pride. I remember lunch at Pirates Corner and Drivers Ed. Here are some photos of my school days (I'm not in them so don't try to find me.)

My first school Barboursville Elementary Grades 1-6




A typical first grade class room at B'ville Elementary

Barboursville Junior High School - Grades 7-9 (This picture was way before I went there. But it still looked the same. It was the old Morris Harvey College)



Math Class at BJHS


"To thee we sing, our gracious Alma Mater. Among the hills, her home so tranquil lies. We promise now to pledge our all allegience, to thy ideals and to thy way of life."
Barboursville High School Grades 10-12. Home of the Barboursville Pirates


Our fabulous Barboursville Majorettes, known as "The Pirettes"


My senior year, we took the AAA championship in basketball. The sign still stands in glory at the entrance to Barboursville.


Lunchtime at Barboursville High School usually meant a trip to Pirates Corner, even if you ate in the cafeteria, you still jaunted over to see and be seen. It was THE place. I can still taste their hotdogs. Best in the world.


The Barboursville High School Marching Band


Proud to be a Pirate. Always have been and always will be!!

8/19/10

I've been at it again.....

I just couldn't help myself. I was at Sherrie's yesterday and she mentioned a lady was having a yard sale today. Last time I went to her sale, I found some good bargains. So I told Sherrie to count me in and off we went.

I had walked around and looked at some things and next thing I know we are discussing...you guessed it, BASKETS.

I don't know why I have such a weakness for them. But I do. So I ventured to the back of her garage where she had some small baskets. And $2.75 later I was walking out with these....


They are all small baskets and I have no idea what I will do with them, but I'm sure I'll think of something. The white one is going to get spray painted for sure, but I don't know what color yet. I'll keep you posted on what happens with them.

8/18/10

When inspiration hits.....

I have had a wonderful day today. My wonderful husband took me to AC Moore, JoAnne's, Walmart and to Texas Roadhouse for lunch.

I love AC Moore and JoAnne's. I saw some wonderful things that inspired me with many new ideas for crafts when cooler weather starts. They had some awesome Christmas material that will make adorable little pillows to toss in a basket. I also picked up some new yarn for a Santa craft I want to do. Then there was really cute material to make a few snowmen to set around. Just came away full of Christmas crafts I want to do.

But the most inspirational idea I got today was nothing to do with crafts. There was a sweet lady in line with me named Donna at AC Moore. When it came her turn, she was asked if she had a rewards card. Now I don't know about you, but I have several I use on a regular basis. I keep them in the little holder with my credit cards, debit cards, ID's, everything. So each time I need one, I have to dig for it.




I know they all come with key chain size cards as well. But if I put them on my key chain, it is overloaded. I already have my car key, my alarm/door lock gizmo, two house keys, the PO box key. Adding my rewards cards would just make it to bulky.

But Donna solved that problem. She carries a separate key chain that has all her rewards cards in one place. She just flipped through, found the right one and that was that. Now some of you may already do that and I commend your brilliant minds. But it just never occurred to me to put them on a separate key chain. So guess what I did? That's right I came home and put them on a keyring. I have to find the rest of them, but for now I have my basic ones on there. I don't know why this impressed me so much, but it did.


When God Smiles.....

As a parent and grandparent, we love to watch the antics of our children and grandchildren. We love the silly things they do. They will run around in circles, dancing and prancing, until they fall down in a giggling heap on the floor. Then they get up and do it again. They play for hours with their favorite toys with such vivid imaginations that we can see they are truly young geniuses at work. I could sit for hours just watching them and quietly smiling at their antics. In the Bible, we are shown views of God. God the loving God, God the wrathful God, God the Creator. But don't you imagine, that as He sits on his throne, He sometimes watches us and the things we do bring a smile to His face. The simple acts of kindness that are instilled in our nature. The courtesy of holding a door open for someone else. Letting a car ahead of us in heavy traffic. Seeing someone searching frantically for an extra quarter and you handing one over to help them out. Picking up the tab at lunch when you are dining with someone you know has to watch their pennies even closer than you do. Does He look down when we are playing with our babies and does He smile that gentle smile that all parents have? We are His children and He is our Father. I'm sure as His child, we drive Him crazy at times. I'm sure He spends many a days shaking His head and saying "What were they thinking?" when we do something stupid. But I'm just as sure that He has many times that He watches our joy and our laughter and simply smiles and says "That's MY child."

8/17/10

Wash day....

Growing up on well water, we had to watch how much water was used each day. I remember taking baths in just an inch or two of water on wash day. Mom had to prepare the night before by filling the galvanized tub with water so she could rinse the clothes. She'd get up early the next day and sort the laundry while the old Maytag wringer washer was filling with suds. Detergent would vary. We'd use Tide, Fab, Oxydol, whatever had the special in them like wash towels (or as we called them, wash rags) or hand towels. As the loads would wash, she run them through the wringer to get the suds out as much as she could then put them in the rinse tub to slosh out more suds and run them through the wringer again. It's not like taking one load from washer to dryer. Each individual piece of laundry would go through the wringer...twice! With a family of 6, this was a lot of clothes and linens. Then she would get a basket full from each load and carry them outside to the clothesline and hang them up to dry.
Once the clothes would dry, she would bring them in to fold them. Me and Rachel had to help. I remember when Andy was a baby in cloth diapers and we would sit there and fold diaper after diaper. Once we folded what could be folded, Mom would sprinkle the rest with water from one those little sprinkler bottles and wrap them up in a tablecloth and place them on a shelf in the refrigerator overnight. The next morning, she would sit the iron and ironing board up in the living room and iron while we were glued to the Dick Van Dyke Show, Pete & Gladys, or Mr. Ed. I can remember her using Niagara spray starch on some of the dress clothes.
What for me is a fond memory was for my Mother almost a three day project. But I never ever heard her complain. Not once did she fret about her lot in life. It was her life. It was what she did. Being a mother was the most important job and she was one of the best at what she did.
I look back on everything she did and I wonder how she ever kept her sanity. We complain if the dishwasher goes on the fritz or the dryer hose needs replaced. I wonder how we would ever make it if we had to go back to those days.

8/16/10

Motivational Monday

Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment
to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to
excellence - that will enable you to attain the
success you seek. - Mario Andretti

8/15/10

I love this..watch the video if you can

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q534DkOe38s There must be lights burning brighter somewhere Got to be birds flying higher in a sky more blue If I can dream of a better land Where all my brothers walk hand in hand Tell me why, oh why, oh why can't my dream come true Oh why There must be peace and understanding sometime Strong winds of promise that will blow away the doubt and fear If I can dream of a warmer sun Where hope keeps shining on everyone Tell me why, oh why, oh why won't that sun appear We're lost in a cloud With too much rain We're trapped in a world That's troubled with pain But as long as a man Has the strength to dream He can redeem his soul and fly Deep in my heart there's a tremblin' question Still I am sure that the answer, answer's gonna come somehow Out there in the dark, there's a beckoning candle, yeah And while I can think, while I can talk While I can stand, while I can walk While I can dream, please let my dream Come true......right now

8/14/10

The Power of Positive Thinking

In 1952, one the most profound self-help books was written by Norman Vincent Peale, founder of Guideposts magazine. It was called The Power of Positive Thinking. In the professional speaking industry, he is known as one of the greatest motivators of all times. What many don't know is that Peale applied Christianity to everyday problems blending its principles into a message of positive thinking. Peale said, "through prayer you ... make use of the great factor within yourself, the deep subconscious mind ... [which Jesus called] the kingdom of God within you ... Positive thinking is just another term for faith." I love this man!! If you know me at all, you know I am a faith fanatic. I don't go through life looking for the "woe is me's" or the "if only's". I accept what comes my way, pray to God to get me through it, and have faith that He will deliver. I am usually so optimistic that my cup is not half-full, my cup is always flowing over and I'm scurrying around trying to figure out how to catch the overflow. My life is so precious to me and I want to squeeze every moment of pure happiness from it that I can. I don't think God placed us here among all this beauty to start the gloom and doom society. He wants us to enjoy what He has provided for us and let Him handle the rest. I find joy in such simple things. Spending time just watching the antics of my grandchildren, snuggling on the couch to watch TV with my hubby, watching my children as parents, talking to my Mom on the phone, getting an email from my sister. I like get-togethers with friends, church functions, shopping on Saturday. Laughing at old sit-coms, reading the Sunday comics, browsing through yard sales. Being alive. Life is for living. It is too short to sit around and "nit-pic" every little decision or thought to pieces to look for underlying meanings. Develop a positive mindset. Put your faith in God. Get out and enjoy the life he has given you. Don't sweat the small stuff. When we get in our deepest, darkest valleys, God has a way out provided for us. He will smile on you and handle any obstacle you face if you just let him.

8/13/10

More yard sale finds...

I love going to the store on Friday morning. I'll just be "bee"bopping down the road, see a yard sale sign and my car develops a mind of its own. So I oblige it and stop for a gander. I almost always walk away with one or two treasures that hit my fancy. This morning was no different. As many of you know, I love the beach. Nothing soothes me more than beach "stuff". I just found this plate this morning for $1.00 and it was so soothing to me that I just had to have it. I put it on a shelf in my office so I can see it while I'm working.

When I saw this next item, I just fell in love with it. I love little glass candy dishes to set around and you all know I love baskets. What better than a little glass bowl with a basket weave pattern. I was hooked the moment I saw it, but so many people charge too high for glassware if they think they can pass it off as an antique. I asked the price and held my breath....25 cents! Needless to say I snapped it up.

Hamburgers smothered in pickles and cheese, Barbecue Snyders and a large Pepsi please. Three glazed donuts, no make that four, In a cardboard box down on the floor. As we prepared to watch our shows on TV, It was me, Jack and Rachel - just us three. Later that night for a little snack, We'd get our penny candy from out of our sack. Life at our house on a Thursday night Was very predictable, but it felt just right. Things couldn't be better, we'd always say, But it did one Saturday in the month of May. You see we three, became us four, As we added another box to the floor. Memories of yesterday still haunt my mind As I cherish the childhood I left behind.

8/11/10

I can't believe I'm telling this on myself, but....

The older we get our mind starts to go. We can't find our keys. We lose our glasses. We don't know where we parked at Walmart. It is so easy to blame everything on old age. But is it really? Or are we just so addled and scatterbrained because we have so much going on in our lives? I do things sometimes that are so funny, I just have to stop and laugh at myself. I was getting gas recently and had to stop and picture the outside of the truck to remember which side the tank is on!! It brought to mind one of my funniest "senior moments." It was about 2 years ago and I had stopped at the BP to get gas. That was right about the time they started the prepay policy. I went in and asked for $10. I went back out, walked to my gas tank....and discovered I had pulled in on the wrong side of the pumps. My tank was on the passenger side and I was at the drivers side. I was so embarrassed, but figured that nobody noticed since I had already paid. So I unlock the door and get in the car and put the car in drive. I figure I'll pull out and circle around and pull in so that I'm on the correct side. After all, I paid for that pump so that is the pump I must use. I make the loop around the tanks and pull back in. I put the car in park, get out, shut the door and walk around to the pump.....only to discover I pulled right back in there in the same direction and on the wrong side for my gas tank. I thought I was going to die. I got back in, pulled forward, turned around to come back on the right side. By the time I got turned around the right direction, I forgot I had not gotten my gas yet and proceeded to pull forward and over to the exit to leave the parking lot....WITHOUT GETTING MY GAS!! But I did catch myself before pulling into trafffic. I did a rush back up, got over to the tank, pumped my gas and made my getaway. So now, if you ever see me come to a complete stop BEFORE pulling up to a pump, you will know I am working out the logistics in my mind as to where my tank is and where I need to be.

Ain't that the truth....

Over the years in my Christian walk, I have had the privilege to hear many sermons and to talk with many people who love the Lord. Every once in awhile, I would hear a phrase or a comment and I would think "Ain't that the truth." I would jot them down to remember. Here are some of my favorite ones: God said it. I believe it. That settles it. When God shows up, He shows out. God never takes sides...He takes control. Stand still and rest in the presence of the Lord. God not only forgives, He forgets. If you have faith; He'll show you mercy and you'll receive grace. Stop talking the talk and start walking the walk. God can work His miracles out of our mistakes. It’s the believing that makes the waiting more endurable. Let go and let God. When you can't do anything, God can do everything.

And my all time favorite.... When faith walks in, fear walks out.

8/10/10

I received this in an email today and thought it was cute...... A man asked an American Indian what was his wife's name. He replied, "She called Five Horses". The man said, "That's an unusual name for your wife. What does it mean?" The Old Indian answered, "It old Indian Name. It mean... NAG, NAG, NAG, NAG, NAG!

8/9/10

Things I'll never understand......

There are things I see or overhear when I'm out and about that I will never understand. Here are just a few that make me scratch my head and go "huh?"(some I'm even guilty of myself). .... Why do people stand in line at fast food places and ponder the menu the entire time they are in line only to get up to the counter and say "Hmm, let me see, uh... I think....I want....uh, no, give me a cheeseburger, fries and a medium Coke. Oh and I want the cheeseburger with no catsup and oh, can you make it a large fries? No, no, I'll just take a medium." After finally deciding what they want, they are told their total. THEN and only then, do they open their purse and start rummaging for their cash or debit card. .... Why do people order the greasiest, fattest, high calorie foods on the menu and then ask for a Diet Coke. I don't think a diet drink will make much of a difference. .... Why do men pay for every single small purchase with a $20 bill, even if they have a ton of ones. Do they like the nice plump look on their wallet if they keep it full of the ones? .... Why do women pay for everything with the exact change? Counting out 86 individual cents just to avoid breaking another dollar bill? .... Also, why, when women get change back, do they drop it in their purse and not in their billfold. Then when they make their next purchase, they dig around in the bottom of their purse for 5 minutes, because they "know they have a nickle in here somewhere." .... Why do old men walk around with their hands in their pockets jingling their lose change and car keys. .... And the one that drives me the craziest is when a cashiers casually says "Hello, how are you today." They don't REALLY want to know. I was in line behind a lady who was asked that question and her response was that she had seen better days and proceeded to tie up the line by telling the cashier her whole woe is me tale about her miserable job, her worthless family and her low life ex who hasn't paid her in months. And the worse part is she could not multi task, each time she said something new, she stopped from putting her items on the counter so she could talk. Arrgghh. I was so ready to get out of there.

8/8/10

I love when God gets possessive

Isaiah 43:1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. Don't you just love it! This verse sums up our whole life. We are His. Don't worry about things. He will take care of us. Don't let anger settle on you. Tell Him who or what is bothering you and let Him handle it. Don't sweat the small stuff. Don't get into a tiff or a tantrum. You are HIS. He has called you by His name. When I was growing up, I loved being a Garretson. I was proud. That was my family. It was a name of honor. When I married Allen, I was happy to take on his name. Being a Keefer just enriched my life and added more family for me to love. But no name has every thrilled me more than when I was baptized and became a Child of the King. He called me by His name and I am His. I'm God's Girl and loving every minute of it.

8/7/10

Fall is in the air....

With the temperature so high and the humidity making it difficult to breathe, it's hard to believe that fall is just around the corner, but the signs are everywhere.
School starts in little over a week. Blue jeans and long sleeve shirts are making their appearance in stores. The boys are starting to put on their pads and helmets as that first football game is approaching. Bands are practicing their routines and cheerleaders are working on their pyramids.
Late at night, the oppressive heat disappears and you can feel fall in the air. I can smell the late evening smoke from a campground up river. In another month, the apple orchards will be alive with the busy activity of gathering apples for apple butter.
We make a big batch every year. This is the first year we have ran out before it is time to make it again. I'm counting the days. I love applebutter, but cannot stand the store bought kind. Applebutter tastes better when there is time and love poured into each homemade jar.
We've experimented with many types of apples over the years. Nothing compares to the flavor we get when we use Rome apples. We ended up with Rome's by accident one year and it was our best "vintage" ever. I almost cried when I opened the last jar.
So bring on the fall weather and the applebutter festivities.

8/6/10

What a fun-filled two days...

I have had a wonderful two days, but I am exhausted. I got up Thursday and headed over to pick up my grandchildren, Garret & Alexis (11 & 5). We met up with my niece, her husband and their 2 boys (12 and 9) from West Virginia. We decided to spend the day at Splash Country. Now, I must start off by saying that the 5 year old is itty bitty and weighs about 29 pounds. Whoever named a Lazy River by that name, never had to walk the entire length of it pushing a 5 year old in her float....3 TIMES!! And whoever thought it was a great idea to have all kinds of water falls, slides and water guns in a knee deep pool and let the parents rest in chairs around it, never had to follow a little pony tail all over the pool to keep an eye on her. And I'd like to meet the brain that created a wave pool for fun that has waves the force of a tsunami that can knock an 11 year old right out of his innertube. And most importantly, I'd like to know how, after covering 25 acres of wet, wild family fun, do they expect you to walk all the way back to your car. I think they should install those moving sidewalks like they have in Ripley's aquarium. Or at least run golf carts for you to hitch hike your way to the gate. But I had a blast and so did the kids. We survived. Yes, we survived but only to endure more torture today. We went to Tanger Outlet Mall for the tax free weekend sale to get school shoes and school clothes. To my delight, I have discovered that Alexis shops like me and Garret shops like Papaw. We went to 4 different stores (all on different ends of the complex) to try on no less than 5 outfits at each store only to discover that they had the top in the right size, but not the bottoms or vice versa. We finally ended up with a few new outfits that we liked and we were able to concentrate on Garret. He wanted to go to Nike first. He was very firm about going to Nike. So we walk in. There is a table with T-shirts on sale. He says "I want this one, this one, and this one. Let's look at shorts." We moved to the shorts rack and he says, "These will go with this shirt. I like these with the blue shirt and I want these for the white shirt." Then to my dismay, he says, "Okay I'm done. We can go." Same thing with the shoes. He found a pair, he tried them on, we bought them. For Alexis, we went through about 8 different pairs that she thought she liked, but none "looked right." She ended up falling in love with white Keds. At the end of our two beautiful days together, I took them home. My body is feeling these last two days, but I feel like I held up with great stamina for a grandma. I've went for two straight days like I was 16 again. Go, go, go. As we walk up to the porch, I noticed Garret's suitcase is showing a little wear and tear and I said "I need to get you a new suitcase pretty soon." He wanted to know why and I said that it was getting a little old and he could use a new one. He topped off our time together by sweetly smiling up at me with love in his eyes as he said, "Mamaw, you don't replace something just because it gets old. We haven't got rid of you yet, have we?" Out of the mouth of babes....

8/5/10

Excerpt from my journal .... July 30, 1993 ..... thoughts on a visit to my mother's in WV..........
"Was it yesterday or yesteryear that I walked this same dusty road, stopped to talk to these same familiar faces? Have they grown or have I? Someone once said, "The more things change, the more things stay the same." How true that is. We've grown, we've moved on, started new lives and made families of our own. Yet we can come back day after day and year after year to find the same rusty car in the same ramshackle shack as it's been for generations past and will be for generations to come. I guess this proves that life does go on."

8/4/10

Decorating with ease

I love to craft and I love to decorate, but I love it IF it is easy. I'm not a Better Homes & Gardens candidate and you will never find me in Southern Living, but I do like to take simple things and make them into some type of display. I had an empty spot on the wall by some beach sunset photos. I just wanted something small and beachy to put beside it. So here is what I did.... This is my 25 cent bargain at the yard sale last week.

I removed the chimes and cut all the strings off and filed the bottom down to sit flat. I saved the little seashell that was hooked to the chime strings.

I bought this little shelf over a year ago at AC Moore for $1.00 and have been trying to decide what to do with it ever since.

This is some jute rope that my husband is going to tie into nautical knots (Mr. Boy Scout is not home right now, so I'll have to wait to get that part completed.)

At one time, I collected thimbles. This is one my son and his family brought me back from Gulf Shores, AL several years ago.

So I put them all together and wa-lah a new little wall decor. Allen will tie me some rope to hang down from the pegs. Already had the spray paint and jute from another project, so I have $1.25 invested in a brand new wall decoration that fills a void.

8/2/10

When a little girl grows up.....

The princess had her 2nd birthday party. She's not a baby any more. She was prancing around like she was one of the big kids. She even got a cup and got her some ice all by herself to make her a drink. Her are some photos with remarks I'm sure were going through her mind.....
My umbrella!!!! (She has had a conversation with Mamaw Clara everyday last week that she needed an "umbrelro". Yesterday, at church, Mamaw said "I'll see you at your party" and Shelby pointed her little finger and said "Don't forget my umbrelro". )
"Hm, clothes. Whatever. Keep going."
"Oh wow, money! Now you're talkin"
"Check out my new wheels. It's not a Mustang, but it'll do for now" "Cool. Didn't know it came with my own chauffeur. I'm cruising now. Look out bubby."
"I'm a big girl now. FREEDOM."
"Hey, where did the party people go."
"Whew, too much excitement. Take me home, Daddy."